Lathrop’s senior running back/cornerback is off to an explosive start to the new season.

Jones contributed in big ways in every facet the past two weeks, more recently playing a part in a record-setting effort on the road. The Spartans (1-1) set a single-game record for points scored in their 56-0 thrashing of Mt. Diablo in Concord last Friday.

Their Wing-T pounded out 426 rushing yards on 32 carries, and Jones had the bulk of the production with 174 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 attempts. He scored all three TDs from scrimmage in the second quarter, and Lathrop led comfortably at halftime, 28-0.

Jones wasn’t done yet. In the third quarter, he returned a punt 50 yards for a fourth touchdown on the night.

“It just feels good to contribute,” he said. “I want to shout out the O-line.”

In a 35-28 season-opening loss to Bradshaw Christian, Jones sparked a second-half comeback charge. He rambled for 111 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries and had two turnovers on defense — an interception, and an end zone-to-end zone scoop-and-score.

“It gets the morale back up after a tough loss against Bradshaw,” Jones said of the team’s rebound from the defeat. “It felt like we bounced back in the right way, now we just have to keep it going from there.”

Lathrop concludes its non-league schedule this Friday at Weston Ranch.

On the season, Jones is averaging 14.3 yards per carry (20 attempts, 285 yards), and his seven total touchdowns and 42 points scored ranks him No. 17 in the state, according to stats submitted to MaxPreps.